Petition Started to Award Umpqua College Shooting Hero Chris Mintz the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Supporters have launched a petition urging President Obama to award Umpqua college shooting victim Chris Mintz a Presidential Medal of Freedom for his actions of bravery in the face of death to protect those around him from a man intent on murder.

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Oregon resident Chris Mintz, a former Army officer, was one of the victims of the murderer who attacked an Oregon community college last week, but Mintz also proved to be a hero when he tried to block the shooter’s progress incurring multiple gunshots in the process.

Witnesses reported that Mitnz boldly blocked a doorway in an attempt to prevent the killer’s entry and to give others a chance to get away. He was shot several times and his injuries included having both legs broken.

The veteran is recovering from his wounds in the hospital, but doctors say Mintz’s legs are so badly damaged that he will “most likely have to relearn how to walk.”

A supporter has now launched a petition at the White House website urging the President to act by awarding the hero of Umpqua the medal.

I am recommending Mr. Chris Mintz for the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his actions taken on 1 October 2015 during the shootings at the Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon. Mr. Mintz, a Veteran, continues to display the values of the United States military by his actions to alert others of the danger and then to endanger himself while delaying the attacker to allow time for others to escape. Mr. Mintz positively displayed the values of loyalty, duty, respect, honor, integrity, personal courage, and self-sacrifice to attempt to save as many of his fellow citizens as possible. I believe that awarding Mr. Mintz the Presidential Medal of Freedom will hold him up as a strong example to the rest of America that one person can make a difference.

At press time the petition had over 8,000 signers but needs 100,000 by November 1 for White House action.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award and is awarded to individuals who have made “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”

Follow Warner Todd Huston on Twitter @warnerthuston or email the author at igcolonel@hotmail.com